A Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED gives 183x, a 0.33 degree true field and a 0.4 mm exit pupil. The worked calculation and whether it sits in the useful range.

Updated 05 September 2026.

Eyepiece and telescope pairing

Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED: magnification and field

What the Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm does in the Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED, worked from the published focal lengths and apparent field.

Field of view

ring = 0.33 degrees true
dot = 0.4 mm exit pupil

Computed optics

Magnification
183x420 mm / 2.3 mm
True field
0.33 degrees60 deg / 183x
Exit pupil
0.4 mm72 mm / 183x
Max useful mag
170xpublished
Barrel match
1.25 in eyepiece in a 2 in focuser
No fit

Over-powered. At 183x this pair exceeds the published highest useful magnification of about 170x for the Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED, so the image dims and softens without showing more real detail. Use a longer eyepiece.


Magnification is the telescope focal length divided by the eyepiece focal length: 420 mm divided by 2.3 mm is 183x. The true field of view is the eyepiece's 60 degree apparent field divided by that magnification, 0.33 degrees.

The exit pupil, the width of the light beam leaving the eyepiece, is the aperture divided by the magnification, 72 mm over 183x, which is 0.4 mm. That makes this a high-power lunar, planetary and double-star setting.

Questions and answers

Celestron X-Cel LX 2.3mm in the Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED: magnification and field?

Over-powered. At 183x this pair exceeds the published highest useful magnification of about 170x for the Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED, so the image dims and softens without showing more real detail. Use a longer eyepiece.